National Eisteddfod of Wales 2008 Diary
National Eisteddfod of Wales 2008 2 - 9 August 2008 Pontcanna Fields, Cardiff
With the encouragement of Cadw, the Welsh Archaeological Trusts have over the past few years begun to put in appearance at the National Eisteddfod.
GGAT will be at the National Eisteddfod this year with displays on recent Trust work in Southeast Wales and activities for children. Please come along and talk to professional archaeologists about the archaeology in your community. Cardiff Archaeological Society will also be joining us during weekdays with displays on their work, and members available to discuss local archaeological interests.
Click on the images to enlarge
Day 1-Saturday 2nd August
A sunny start to the Eisteddfod!
The Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust stand became a major attraction on the first day of the Eisteddfod thanks to Matthew Jones of Aveagoceramics! Pot throwing outside the tent drew in the crowds and as a result GGAT staff were busy siarad gymraeg all day!-Caroline Thomas
Day 2-Sunday 3rd August
Apart from getting lost in Bute Park on my way to the Eisteddfod, Sunday was really enjoyable. Though people said that it was a quiet day, a steady stream of people past through the entrance of the GGAT stand. Though I was somewhat nervous as I'm dwi'n dysgu all the Welsh speakers I spoke to made me feel relaxed and didn't pick me up once on my terrible pronunciation-all with a northern accent!
Many interesting people were encountered and conversations had. I would especially like to thank the couple from Turkey and the gentleman who worked on the Dragon Project during the 1980s for the most fascinating conversations I had all day.-Paul W Huckfield
Day 3-Monday 4th August
Monday didn't seem as busy as Saturday but the stand had a regular flow of interested customers. The weather stayed fine and mostly dry although dark threatening clouds surrounded the maes all day. I am learning Welsh and this has improved slightly thanks to the help given by the members of the Cardiff Archaeological Society and many of the lovely people I have spoken to at the Eisteddfod. The maes offers an abundance of activities for all ages, from driving a digger to pot making, and even a gorilla who gives lovely hugs-Sue Hughes
Day 4-Tuesday 5th August
The weather on Tuesday was very wet but it didn't put too many off thankfully! I really enjoyed sharing the tent with the Cardiff Archaeological Society, especially since they helped me speak more Welsh than I would have done as a learner. It was great listening to people's stories about what they had found and what interested them archaeologically.-Fay Bowen
Day 5-Dydd Mercher 6th Awst
Shw mae! Yr Eisteddfod yn dda iawn!
Mae llawer o pobl wedi ymweld â mi, llawer o plant. Yr addangosfa newydd ''Glannau De Cymru'' yn ddiddorol iawn. Roedd pobl yn ofyn cwestiunau 'Beth yw eich swydd?' a 'Ga i fod archaeolegydd?'
A lovely day here with lots of visitors and questions about our work, and work opportunities.-Judith Doyle
Day 6-Dydd Iau 7th Awst
Wel, mae tywydd yn poeth a heulwen. Dw I wedi siarad â AS (aelod seredd) ac aelod o'r ymddiriedolaeth a llawer o ffrindiau. Daeth menyw â hen crochenwaith - canoloesol, efallai?
Hoffai plant cymuno â'r Young Archaeologists Club ac mae'r plant nawr gwneud crochenwaith!
Another interesting day, I spoke with lots of people, Assembly Members, Members of our Trust, lots of friends. Hot and sunny today, plenty of people and interest!-Judith Doyle
Day 7-Dydd Gwener 8 Awst
Mae llawer o diddordeb yn y tirweddau hanesyddol heddiw. Mae pobl wedi dod o amrywiaeth lleoliad - Conwy, Ceredigion a Chaerdydd.
Mae tywydd yn cymylog ond mae'n dwym iawn. Mae'r safle yn prysur iawn heddiw. Mae swn o bandiau a cherddoriaeth dros y safle yn hyfryd iawn.
Cloudy but warm today. Lots of interest in historic landscapes today and lots of people from a variety of places. The sound of bands and music floating across the site is lovely. A real good atmosphere!
Day 8-Dydd Sadwrn 9 Awst
Glau trwm bob dydd, yn anffordus, a felly dim llawr a bobl. Ond mynegodd rhywun caer danddaearol newydd ini yn Sain Hilari -bydd ein arbenigwr am y 2fed Rhyfel Byd wrth ei bod! Caeodd y stontinau i gyd yn gynnar, yn gynnwys ni.
